Multiple way fluid control valve



Feb. 24, 1942. Q A, TSCHANZ 2,274,308

MULTIPLE WAY FLUID CONTROL VALVE Filed April 19, 1941 vPatented Feb. 24, 1942 Y UNITED STATES FAT NT` OFFICE 't l v2,274,308 i n MULTIPLE wnvrmnn CoN'rnoL VALVE I (Barlrii.L TschanmNorWood, Ohio v Application April 19, 194i, Serial No. 389,435

' 6 Claims., (Cl

'"l" system in a position to distribute the uid in a The primary object of the present invention is to provide a novel `valve `which is designed to control the flow of fluid in 'a number of different directions betwen coupled 'pipe lines and particularly' between pipe lines ofv an hydraulic spring stabilizingsystein such as is disclosed in my patent above referred to.

Another object 'of the invention is to'provide a n'ov'el multieway valve which is designed so vthat uid under pressure from one pipe line l will be automatically distributed through two divergent` pipe lines or whereby such fluid, when flowing in the reverse direction from both of the divergent pipel lines, may be admittedto the first-mentioned pipe line, or wheni'lowing in the reverse `direction from one only Voi such divergentlines, may be compelled to flow intol the other divergent line andjwill be'` shunted. from the inst-mentioned line. y y

The invention will be bestv understood fromA a s consideration ofthe following detailed descrip.

tion taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, it 'being understood, however, that the inv'entionis not rto be considered as limited lby the specic illustration or description but that lsuch illustrationand description constitutes a pre'ferredembodiment of the invention. In the drawing: Y Fig. 1 is a. view in longitudinal section `of one embodiment of the.. multiple way valve conf structed in accordance with the present in` vention. f

Fig. 2,is a view in elevation of thefinner side of'apist'on. n

, Fig.' 3 is aview in longitudinal,sectionA of an-y other embodiment of the presentvalve structure. Fig. 4 is' a detailed fragmentary View of the valve structure shown in Fig. 3, illustrating a modification of one of the conical valve elements thereof. i

, Fig. 5 is a view inside elevation of Athe mocli-` fied conical valve element.

Fig. 6 is a View in another position of the f modified conical valve element showing the two t ports therethrough.

number of diierent directions in accordance with dilerent phases of operation of the system. This valve comprises a main cylinder body indicated as a whole by the numeral I and comprising a cylindrical central section 2 and the cylindrical caps 3 threaded upon the ends thereof to make up thecomplcte cylinder. These caps 3 are provided with the annular collars 4 at their inner ends which encircle the adjacent end of the central portion 2 and there is secured between the shoulder 5 at the inner end of each cap and the adjacent end of the central portion 2, av sealing ring 6 and a metallic stop ring ,'I. The interior diameter of each stop ring I is` materially less than the interior diameter of the cylinder, as shown, for the purpose hereinafter set forth.

At, the center of each cap 3 is a threaded nipple 8 with which is connected a fluid line 9. Inkthe center of the central portion 2 of the cylinder is ,formed a threaded nipple I 0 with which is connected an intermediate pipe II.

'Referringnow more particularly'to 'the draw-y v ing, Fig. 1 illustrates thefform of the present Avalve as disclosed in my issued patent, such valve being located inthe hydraulic stabilizing Located within the central portion 2 of the a tubular stem I3 which opens through the piston, as shown, and these stems are in end abutting relation and function to maintain the pistons spaced apart. Thek tubular passages through the pistons and stems are indicated byr the numeral HI and upon the outer side of each piston is secured a flap valve I5 which covers the adjacent;I end of the passage.

vEachoi the piston bodies also has formed therethrough a port I6 which parallels the passage Id, and these ports are closed upon their inner sides orupon the inner sides of the pistons by the iiap valves I1.

Upon the outer end of each piston I2 there is disposed a sleeve I8 which bears against the outer side ofthe piston and extends through the adjacent resilient and metallic rings 6 1, having formed upon its outer end the encircling flange I9 which abuts the adjacent stop ring I tok limit the movementl of the sleeve toward the transverse center of the cylinder. The sleeves I3 are constantly urged toward one another and into contact with the adjacent pistons by the expansion springs 20 which are housed in the caps 3, the outer ends vof the springs engaging the outer end walls of the caps and the inner ends of the springs engaging the ange IQ of the adjacent sleeve I8. By this meansv the pistons are also constantly urgedtogether and when the two sleeves are moved inwardly or toward the transverse center of the cylinder as far as they are permitted to go by the stop rings the opposing ends of the tubular stems I3 will be in abutting relation.

It will be seenfrom the foregoing that the pistons may move apart to permit fluid entering the central chamber 2|, which is located between the pistons, from the pipe to enter the tubular stems and flow through the same past the flap valves I5 into the end chambers 22 formed by the caps 3 and in which the springs 20 are housed. Thus uid may be equally distributed to the lateral pipes 9. Also it will be seen that fluid entering both of the end chambers 22 from the two lateral pipes, if coming in under substantially the same pressure from the lateral pipes, will ow from the chambers 22 through the ports |6 into the central chamber 2| to discharge therefrom through the pipe If fluid enters one end chamber 22 and the center chamber under pressure which may be greater than the pressure in the opposite end chamber, it cannot flow into the opposite end chamber due to the action of the valve I5 nearest the first end chamber and the valve nearest the other or opposite end chamber, but there will merely be a shifting of the pistons toward the said opposite end chamber, the ends of the tubular portions |3 being maintained in abutting relation. If the pressure in the first end chamber is slightly greater than that in the center chamber then, of course, the valve nearest the rst chamber will open and allow some of the fluid' to enter the center chamber, but with this arrangement, no fluid can pass directly from one end chamber to the opposite end chamber. l

Fig. 3 illustrates a modified or improved form of the valve construction shown in Fig. 1. In this modified construction, the cylinder is indicated generally by the numeral |a and is made up, like the cylinder of a central cylindrical portion 2a and the end caps 3a, each of which has at its inner end the interiorly threaded flange 4a for engagement with an end of the central portion. At the point of joinder between the flange Ia and the body of the cap, there is formed a shoulder 5a and between this shoulder and the adjacent end of the central portion 2a is secured a stop ring la. Each of the caps 3a has a threaded nipple 8a in which is connected a fluid pipe 9a, and the central portion 2a of the cylinder likewise has a threaded nipple |||a in which is connected a fluid pipe Ila. Disposed within the central portion of the cylinder are the two pistons |22, each of which has formed integrally therewith the tubular stem |31 through which is formed the passage Illa which passes through the adjacent piston. Each of these pistons has formed therethrough in parallel relation with the passage Ida, the fluid transfer ports I6a and upon`A the inner side of each piston there is disposed in encircling relation with the piston stem, the valve ring |'|a which lies over and closes the ports I 5a in the manner illustrated. These valve rings are maintained in closed position during the inoperative condition of the valve by the expansion spring 23 which encircles the stems I3` and presses the valve rings apart to keep them seated.

The outer end of each piston is provided with the exteriorly reduced sleeve extension |8a which passes through the adjacent stop ring 1e.

As in the form of the invention illustrated in 75 Fig. 1, the area between the pistons forms a central chamber which is indicated here by the numeral 2|a while the caps 3EL provide outer fluid chambers 22EL with which the pipes 9a communicate. Within each of the outer chambers 22a there is located an annulus 24 which rests against the end of the adjacent sleeve extension I8a and corresponds to the flange I9 of the structure of valve I. Within each chamber 221iL is housed a spring 2|!a which bears against the adjacent arlnulus 24 and constantly urges movement of the adjacent piston toward the transverse center of the cylinder. These springs, therefore, function to move the pistons together and to maintain the opposing ends of the tubular stems in end abutting relation. The inward movement of the rings 24 is limited by the stop rings 'la so that it will be seen that if by reason of the development of fluid pressure in the chamber 2|a, one of the pistons should be moved outwardly against the tension of the adjacent spring 20a, the other piston will not be forced in toward the center of the cylinder by its control spring 2Ua since the extent of effective action of this spring is limited by the stop ring 1a.

Each end of the passage Illa which extends through the piston stems and the pistons, is closed-by a conical valve |52, the adjacent portion of the piston being reamed out to form the tapered valve seat I5b on which the valve is located. These valves at their apices have eyes 25 and these eyes are coupled together by a spring 26 which extends through the passage I4a and contstantly urges the two conical valves onto their sea s.

It will be seen that while certain details of construction of the valve just described are different from the valve I, the function or operation will be the same in that a fluid entering chamber 2|ab may force the pistons |2a apart so as to separate the ends of the stems and flow in opposite directions through the stems past the valves |52L into the chambers 22a to enter the pipes 9a. As soon as the pressure in the central chamber is reduced to normal, the springs 20a will return the pistons to their centralized positions so as to bring the tubular stems together and close the passage |43. If fluid enters the chambers 22a under equal pressure and such pressure exceeds the fluid pressure in the chamber 2| a and the pipe Ila, the valve rings Ila will yield to open the ports IIa and the pistons will remain immovable. If, however, fluid should enter a chamber 22a and the chamber 2|a from the pipe Ila while the fluid pressure is lowered in the opposite chamber 22a the saine action Will take place as previously described in connection with the Valve structure shown in Fig.

1. By this, it is meant that since the purpose of the valve plates 5a is to prevent the flow of fluid from one end chamber to the other when there is a pressure produced in one end chamber and the middle chamber at the same time the greater pressure will determine the movement of the valve parts. If the pressure is greater in the middle chamber, then, of course, the stems will be separated to allow the fluid to pass through the stem opening and the iiuid from the end chamber will be blocked due to the separation of the stems. However, if the pressure is greater in the one end chamber, the stems will remain in contacting` relation and the fluid will unseat the plate |'|a nearest the chamber in which the pressure is greatest to allow the fluid to pass through Lto the missie chamber, @withstanding the pressure in this middle chamber. "However, with p fthe modied'struc'ture hereinafter'described andy illustrated inFi'g.` 4, theuid in one en"d chamber iskpermitted to pass through the stem openings in the middle chamber separates the stems; In certain uses" of thepresent' valve- Ia in an hydraulic Vstak'iilizing systems such as is shown yin Patent No. 2,198,019, it lis desirable tocontrol i the flow of fluid directly through the valvefrom 'one chamber 2211to'the opposite one without 'separation of the tubular stems I3EL butprevent ow of viiuid in they opposite direction through the joined piston stems. In order that this acjtion may talieplalce', there is provided the modii which are formed the ports 21a. v

The valves IBC and 2la have the inwardly extending ears 28 which are coupled together by the spring 25h which extends through the tubular piston stems. With this construction or with this form of ported Valve at one end of the `tubular passage, it will be seen that when iiuid enters the end chamber nearest the ported valve 21, it may pass directly into the passage Mb and out at the opposite end into the opposite end y chamber, but the reverse flow `of fluid directly` through the-passage Mb cannot occur due to the use of the solid conical valve body 15C.

From the foregoing, it will be readily apparent that there is herein set rforth a valve structure of novel form which, while it may be applicable to many systems, is particularly serviceable in an e hydraulic stabilizing system `of the character shown in my issued patent previously referred to.

What is claimed is: 1. A flow control valve of the character described, comprising a cylinder having end walls each provided with a fluid port, a pair of pistons disposed in the cylinder and each having a tubular stem, the passage oi each stem extending through the adjacent piston, said stems being in opposed relation andcoacting to maintain the members in the ends rof the cylinder and bearing against the pistons tonormally force the same together. f2. A iiow control valve of the character described, comprising a cylinder having end walls i each provided with a fluid port, means providing a fluid port adjacent the transverse center of the cylinder, a pair of pistons disposed in spaced relation upon opposite sides of the last-mentioned port, resilient means in each end of the cylinder urging said pistons toward one another,

means interposed between the pistons `for lim-y `into` the'opposite end-chamber while the pressure iting the movement offthe pistons together, valve controlled means forming a uid passageway from one end of the `cylinder to the` opposite end throughsaid pistons, said valve controlledmeans functioning to admit nuid from the space between the pistons into either end of the cylinder upon separation of thepistonsVand Valve controlled meansfor passing fluid from either end of the cylinder directly into the space between the pistons. l l

3; A flow control valve, comprising a cylinder having end walls, a pair of pistons disposed in4 spaced relation in the cylinder, said pistons' be- `ing spaced from said end walls, there being a chamber upon the outer side of each of said pistons and a chamber between the spaced pistons, a iiuid port opening into each of said lirst-mentioned chambers, a fluid port 'opening into the central chamber between lthe pistons, means limiting the separatory movementof the pistons in the cylinder, spring means normally urging said pistons together, opposed tubular stems carried by the pistons and having their opposed ends in abutting relation, thetubular stems opening through the pistons, Valve` elements closing the outer ends of the tubular stems and opening toward the adjacent ends of the cylinder, means normally urging said valve elements to closed position, said pistons having fluid transfer ports therethrough paralleling the stems, Valve elements f upon the opposing sides of the pistons closing vsaid ports, and spring means interposed between the pistons and constantly urging the `last-mentioned valve elements to closing position with respect to the adjacent ports. k

, 4. A ow control valve, comprising a cylinder having end walls, a 4pair of pistons disposed in spaced relation in the cylinder, said pistons being spaced from said end walls, there being a chamber upon` the outer side of each of said` pistons and a chamber between the spaced pistons, a iiuid port opening into each of said first- I mentioned chambers, a fluid port opening into the central chamber between the pistons, means limiting the separatory movement of the pistons in the cylinder, spring means normally urging said pistons together, opposed tubular stems carried by the pistons and having their opposed ends in abutting relation, the tubular stems opening through the pistons, valve elements closing the outer ends of the tubular stems and opening toward the adjacent ends of the cylinder, means normally urging said valve elements to closed position, said pistons having fluid transfer ports therethrough paralleling the stems, valve elements upon the opposing sides of the pistons closing said ports, and spring means interposed between the pistons and constantly urging the last-mentioned valve elements to closing position with respect to the adjacent ports, one of said valve elements closing an end of a tubular stem being 4ported to allow fluid to pass from the adjacent end chamber into and through the stem past the opposing valve element and into the f other end chamber of the cylinder.

5. A flow control valve ofthe character described, comprising a cylinder body having a central cylindrical portion and detachable end caps providing end walls, an annulus secured between each cap and the adjacent end of the central portion of the cylinder, said annulus extending into the cylinder and forming a stop, a pair of pistons disposed in spaced relation between said stops and limited thereby in their separatory movement, each of said pistons in- 'tionand limiting themovement of the pistons itogethenja "sleeve'upon the outer side of each piston'and'extending through the adjacent -annulusan expansion/spring -Within each cap con- -stantlyexerting .pressure upon the adjacent sleeve 'toz-urgethepiston* inwardly, a fluid port opening .through feach cap between thecap and the adjacent piston, a fluid port opening into the cylinder i6. Afflow control-valve of thef'character described, comprisinga cylinder body having acenftral cylindrical portion and detachable end caps 'gprovidingf'end walls, an annulus vsecured between each cap `and the adjacent end of the central por- =tion 'of the 'cylinden'said annulus extendingv into '.the cylinder and 'forming a stop, a pair ofpistons ldisposedl inspacedI relation between fsaid stops ,'cluding Aa tubular stem :which opens-through the zpiston, said stems being in opposed vabutting rela- ..andlimited-thereby initheir separatory movement, each of said pistons including a i tubular fstem which opens through the piston, said stems -being/in opposed abutting relationV and limiting "the movement of the'pistons together,l a sleeve .upon the outer side of each piston and extending through `the adjacent annulus, an expansion spring within each cap .constantly exerting pressure' upon the adjacent sleeve to .urge the piston finwardly, a fluid port opening through each cap ybetween the cap and the adjacent piston, a fluid 'port opening into the cylinderinto the space between the opposing'pistons, an outwardly opening-valve closing each of the outer ends of the tubular stems, iiuid ports through said pistons,

valve elements disposed between the pistons and closing said fluid ports against the passage of `iuid through the ports in the direction'of the `adjacent-caps, said sleeves forming integralA reduced extensions of the pistons, and an annulus .disposed uponvthe outer side of each of said stops to'vbear .upon the end of the-adjacent sleeve and having the adjacent spring bearing thereagainst.

YCARL A. TSCHANZ. 

